Our friendly team of qualified professionals can help you make informed decisions at every stage of your business's life cycle. But most importantly, we strive to understand your aspirations for yourself, your family, your staff and your business, and can help you achieve these goals.

Smith Sharpe & Abbott focus on maximising your income and protecting your assets, giving you more choices in life. For more information, visit our contact us section to get in touch.

WATCH OUR VIDEO

WELCOME TO SMITH SHARPE & ABBOTT

OUR SERVICES

At Smith Sharpe & Abbott we aim to provide you with advice when your business needs it, not just when you ask for it. We help you manage every aspect of your business and because we establish a one-on-one relationship with each of our clients, our advice is tailor-made for your business. We've also developed our traditional auditing and accounting practices into innovative client-focused services. Our flexibility and adaptability ensure we help you get the best results.

Listed, are the services we offer. This list is by no means exhaustive, and our team of friendly staff are more than happy to talk about any services not listed here that you might require.

A good budget is a necessity in a good business plan. It is one of the best business tools you can have, enabling you to set financial targets and measure your performance.

In addition to goal-setting value, budgets will often improve your chances of acquiring funding. Financiers often require budgets as a prerequisite for funding approval.

The techniques we utilise to form financial projections enable you to consider future scenarios and provide you with goals to strive for in your business. There are many types of budgets. We can help you design the right budget for your requirements.

Let us show you how a budget can provide feedback that helps you prepare for the future of your business!

If you have a good idea for a new business venture but don't have expertise in the legal or financial aspects of creating a new business, we can help you:

• Decide on the most suitable structure for your business — Sole trader, partnership, or limited company

• Assess your finance requirements, advise on the best sources of finance, and draw up the necessary proposals

• Establish a good working relationship with your bank

• Register for an Australian Business Number with the ATO

• Complete registration procedures with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission

• Deal with company secretarial issues

• Set up a recording system for your internal use and for complying with statutory requirements

Let us help you turn your business idea into a reality!

Our aim is to ensure your business achieves the potential it is capable of. We have the know-how and experience to offer advice that helps you run your business more effectively.

We are practiced in acting as a sounding board for management, bringing years of experience in business growth to the relationship. We can identify key performance indicators in your business, through which you will see positive changes occurring with the help of our professional consultants.

We check that your business is as competitive, focused, and profitable as it can be, then offer flexible strategies, designed to address the issues affecting your business.

Let us give your business a health check! Take the practical advice we can provide to ensure the ongoing success of your venture.

Administering your payroll can be time-consuming and divert you from your core business activities. Added to this, payroll and employment legislation are growing increasingly complex.

We can relieve you of this burden by providing a comprehensive, confidential payroll service that includes:

Even if you only have a few employees, you will save by engaging us to administer your payroll.

A decent accounting system will help you keep track of your cash flow and make completing GST returns easy. Choosing the right system for your business can be difficult as there are over sixty different accounting packages available in Australia. At Smith Sharpe & Abbott we invest considerable resources in ongoing staff training to ensure we can recommend the best accounting software solution for your business.

Let us help you make the right choice of accounting software suitable for your business and train you to be self-sufficient with your software choice.

The pressures of daily business can often mean strategic planning takes a back seat, but to have a successful business it is vital to plan ahead. We'll help you develop a strategic plan that examines where you want your business to be in the next 3-5 years and exactly how you and your team can achieve these aims and objectives.

Your strategic plan will:

• Define the characteristics of your company in three to five years

• Identify your competitors

• Define your objectives and financial goals

• Include an effective implementation strategy to achieve your goals

Company legislation requires businesses to perform several administration tasks that take up a lot of valuable company time. The last thing you need as a business owner is to be stressed out trying to ensure you comply with the Corporations Law. The possible threat of penalties for failing to keep up with the changing rules is too great a risk to take.

At Smith Sharpe & Abbott we can relieve this burden for you. Our services include:

Please contact us for further information on how we can help you get back to running your business.

As unpleasant as the task is, estate planning is one of the necessities of life. Knowing your hard-earned assets will be dealt with in the manner you choose provides peace of mind.

For business owners, a plan for succession of ownership is essential. We can guide you through the process of providing for business continuity.

The executor and trustee of a will are required to perform a number of duties. At Smith Sharpe & Abbott we are experienced in estate planning and can guarantee no deviation from the succession plan for your assets.

The areas in estate administration that we can assist with include:

• Meeting to discuss objectives for your estate

• Confirming assets — Valuations, inventories, and appraisals

• Court approval for a grant of administration

• Documentation involved in estate planning

• Protecting the assets

• Paying taxes and debts

• Estate distribution

Accounting for primary producers involves specific business, financial, and taxation issues, and a specialist understanding of the industry. At Smith Sharpe & Abbott we keep abreast of the developments in both the farming and accounting industries, ensuring we are uniquely placed to provide up-to-date, accurate advice.

Our services include:

• Farm budgeting and cash flows

• Farm sales and purchases

• Ownership structures

• Preparation of financial statements

• Taxation

• Seasonal planning

• Succession planning

Selling a business can be a difficult, disheartening time and the tasks involved can seem particularly arduous. At Smith Sharpe & Abbott we take the unwanted burden from you.

The services we provide for preparing to sell a business include:

• Obtaining comparative results

• Establishing a realistic sale price

• Taking the business to the market

• Negotiating with potential purchasers

• Drafting a contract

Our friendly, professional team will help you obtain a maximum return for your business.

To ensure the long-term success of your business, it is critical to establish a well-designed succession plan. Coordinating the transition of your business to your successors can be an arduous process. However, with our years of experience we can address the complex issues of business continuation, removing the stress from your shoulders.

Contact us for more information on forming a plan that facilitates a hassle-free continuation of your business!

As the Government encourages Australians to take responsibility for and reach their financial retirement goals, citizens are repeatedly required to deal with superannuation funds. Self-managed superannuation is a means of saving for retirement. It enables you to control your investment strategy, reduce tax while obtaining tax benefits, and control administration costs.

Superannuation law is a delicate area and personalised planning is required for each individual. The team at Smith Sharpe & Abbott are superannuation experts who can assist in establishing a superannuation fund that will effectively enable you to reach your financial retirement goals.

Services we offer include:

• Establishing self-managed superannuation funds

• Arranging for the audit of your self-managed superannuation fund

• Advice on compliance matters

• Advice on taxation benefits

• Advice on employer obligations

Am I getting the best price for the sale of my business? Is the asking price too much? An independent valuation provides you with answers to the questions you often need to ask about the value of a business or property.

We are trained and experienced in business valuations and can provide you with simple guidelines and formulae to determine the value of your business or property.

We can also appear in court or for arbitration as expert witnesses in relation to business valuations.

The GST system is a complex and confusing one. Consequently Smith Sharpe & Abbott ensures our team remains up to date with any changes, enabling us to offer you accurate advice.

Every transaction now has an associated GST issue. We are experienced in these issues and can offer expert advice on the GST implications for your business. The GST-related services we offer include, but are not limited to:

• Advice on registering for GST

• Filing and adjusting GST returns

• ATO audit assistance

At Smith Sharpe & Abbott we offer a full range of taxation services. Our taxation consulting division is nationally recognised and we offer advice based on proven knowledge and experience. Our proactive approach ensures we deliver consistent service and build solid relationships that stand the test of time.

Taxation can be a major cost to your business. We will work with you to minimise your tax and help you achieve your key objectives. We provide a complete service of assistance and advice in each of these areas:

A trust provides a valuable way to protect the assets you have accumulated for the benefit of others. Our extensive experience with trusts enables us to offer specialist advice on trust formation and ensures all statutory requirements are met. Obligations for trustees can often be onerous, and our assistance in trust administration can prove invaluable. We can assist with:

• Attending to the special requirements involved in reporting for trusts

• Completing the trust administration:

o Minute-keeping service

o Annual accounts

o Taxation

o Asset management

o Investment monitoring

o Income distribution

Contact us today to ensure your trust is formed and administered as effectively as possible, covering all legal requirements and guaranteed to fulfill its purpose!

Modern business requires up-to-date, accurate financial information. We can relieve you and your staff of the enormous burden of all your bookkeeping and accounting needs, including preparation of your annual accounts and periodic management accounts for tax, business appraisal, and planning purposes.

We will discuss your requirements with you and provide information relevant to your particular situation, as well as constructive advice, on a regular basis.

BUDGETING

BUSINESS START-UP

MANAGEMENT CONSULTING

PAYROLL SERVICES

SOFTWARE SOLUTIONS

STRATEGIC PLANNING

COMPANY SECRETARY

ESTATE PLANNING

PRIMARY PRODUCTION ACCOUNTING

SELLING A BUSINESS

SUCCESSION PLANNING

SUPERANNUA-TION

VALUATIONS

GST MANAGEMENT

TAXATION

TRUSTS

BOOKKEEPING

OUR TEAM

At Smith Sharpe & Abbott, our team of professional, chartered accountants will be there to help when you need them most. They are committed to forming close partnerships with their clients, enabling them to understand your unique situation and customise the assistance they provide to suit your requirements.

Their commitment to excellence is evident in our hardworking team and the exceptional service we offer. Their enthusiasm for our work means you get a friendly team of professionals eager to use their expertise to help you succeed.

Regina has been a Chartered Accountant since 2002 with experience in accounting and taxation services. She completed a Bachelor of Financial Administration at the University of New England and has been a Partner at Smith Sharpe & Abbott since 2007. In 2016 Regina became an Authorised Representative of SMSF Advisers Network and is licensed to provide advise on Self Managed Superannuation Funds. She is also a Justice of the Peace.

Regina has lived in the New England area most of her life and grew up in and around Guyra. She is particularly interested accounting information systems and has extensive knowledge and experience with a wide range of accounting software packages. She enjoys assisting clients to get the most out of whichever system they use.

Regina loves fine dining, travel, reading and sport.

Andrew graduated from the University of New England with a Bachelor of Financial Administration and Diploma Business Studies and has worked within the accountancy field in the Armidale area for 24 years. Andrew's professional interests are small business, primary production, investment and individual tax with an emphasis on developing client relationships and ensuring client satisfaction. Andrew's personal interests include environmental issues, Australian film and music and a passion for the St Kilda Football Club.

Cairistain was born in South Africa and moved to Australia in 1996. Cairistain has been with the firm since 2006 after graduating from University of New England with a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Financial and Management Accounting. Cairistain specialises in superannuation accounting. She is highly involved within the local sporting community in particular rugby union.

Paul grew up in Armidale attending St Mary's Primary and O'Connor Catholic High Schools. Paul began his working career completing an apprenticeship in carpentry and joinery. Over the next 25 years he made and sold furniture on consignment through local businesses and worked for local companies. Working up to 11 hour days on average Paul decided on a career change and completed his Certificate II in Accountancy and began work with Smith Sharpe & Abbott in 2006. Paul specialises in Company Secretarial, accounting and tax returns.

Guy Halloran joined Smith Sharpe & Abbott in 2015. He has a Bachelor of Arts/Business degree in accounting from University of New England, Armidale.

When Guy became a member of our team at Smith Sharpe & Abbott, he brought three years audit experience in the fields of self-managed superannuation funds and non-for-profit organizations, with responsibilities including audit, ensuring regulatory compliance and financial reporting. Guy now utilizes his experience to assist a variety of clients with their accounting, taxation and financial requirements.

Guy spends his spare time fishing, and is an avid gamer.

Joanna came to Australia in 2000 from China to continue her study in accountancy.

She graduated from University of Wollongong in 2002 with a Master of Professional Accounting and was admitted as a Certified Public Accountant in 2012.

Joanna moved to public accounting in 2014 after working as a commercial accountant for 10 years. She joined Smith Sharpe & Abbott in 2017 after her family moved to Armidale from Sydney.

Joanna likes singing and music and she enjoys the country life with her family.

Jessica is a born and bred Armidale local, attending Duval High School. She moved up to Queensland for a few years where she undertook TAFE Study.

Once moving back to Armidale Jess worked in the Retail Industry from 2000 until she joined our team in October of 2015. At SSA Jess looks after our BAS’s and bookkeeping for clients including processing payroll and superannuation. She also helps out with our tax returns and is looking at becoming more involved in the accounting side of things.

Jess enjoys spending quality time with her 2 children, and walking her dogs.

Grahame started his career in public practice in Sydney in 1985. His desire was to raise a family in the country and moved to the New England district in 1987 and soon after established his own accountancy practice specialising in rural and small business. Grahame is a founding partner of Smith Sharpe & Abbott. Grahame was educated at James Ruse Agricultural High School, graduated with a Bachelor of Business from the University of Technology and was admitted as a Chartered Accountant in 1988. Grahame is particularly interested in business structures, asset protection and succession planning.

He has been a director of several medium sized companies over the years, one of which has won many business awards and currently manufactures and exports products worldwide. He currently sits on a number of advisory boards to the Royal Agricultural Society of New South Wales.

Grahame is an enthusiastic breeder and exhibitor of purebred poultry and is a sought after judge. Other interests include breeding Poll Dorsets and when time permits estuary fishing.

PRINCIPAL

Regina Davidson

Andrew Logan

Cairistain Wall

Paul Zielinski

Guy Halloran

Joanna Buckland

Jessica Haydon

PRINCIPAL

Grahame Sharpe

10 YEARS OF WONDERFUL SUPPORT

We have been clients of Smith Sharpe and Abbott for the past ten years and have received wonderful support for our small businesses. SSA are not just our accountants, they are a huge part of our businesses. The staff are always welcoming, ready to listen and discuss any concerns on our behalf. We have found SSA to be extremely professional and knowledgeable, yet communicate with us in understandable expression.

Their attitude is exemplary as the staff are always more than willing to resolve any problems we present. We have presented SSA with difficult business scenarios and they have excelled in successfully achieving the correct outcome on numerous occasions. We cannot express our appreciation enough for their input, guiding us in our decision making to be successful in business. Whilst SSA are extremely professional, there is a huge personal element felt within our relationship. There is a real genuine care factor.

We would highly recommend SSA to those seeking for an accountancy firm.

- MW & CM HODGSON -

ALWAYS ACCESSIBLE AND WILLING TO HELP

The people at Smith Sharpe & Abbott function as a close team. They are always accessible and willing to help.

The advice given is financially sound and applied with common sense.

Their knowledge of the ICT International business built up over many years enables the productive and meaningful exchange of information and advice on a regular basis.

- ICT INTERNATIONAL -

SECOND TO NONE PROFESSIONALISM, SERVICE AND ADVICE

Smith Sharpe & Abbott have been looking after the accounting & taxation needs for both of our business, TWM Armidale & Williams Seeders for over 15 years. The professionalism, service and advice given to our business is second to none, & we would have no hesitation in recommending them to any prospective clients.

Smith Sharpe & Abbott have been an instrumental component in our succession planning process & business growth within our family structure.

Our friendly team of qualified professionals can help you make informed decisions at every stage of your business's life cycle. But most importantly, we strive to understand your aspirations for yourself, your family, your staff and your business, and can help you achieve these goals.

Smith Sharpe & Abbott focus on maximising your income and protecting your assets, giving you more choices in life. For more information, visit our contact us section to get in touch.

WELCOME TO SMITH SHARPE & ABBOTT

OUR SERVICES

At Smith Sharpe & Abbott we aim to provide you with advice when your business needs it, not just when you ask for it. We help you manage every aspect of your business and because we establish a one-on-one relationship with each of our clients, our advice is tailor-made for your business. We've also developed our traditional auditing and accounting practices into innovative client-focused services. Our flexibility and adaptability ensure we help you get the best results.

Listed, are the services we offer. This list is by no means exhaustive, and our team of friendly staff are more than happy to talk about any services not listed here that you might require.

A good budget is a necessity in a good business plan. It is one of the best business tools you can have, enabling you to set financial targets and measure your performance.

In addition to goal-setting value, budgets will often improve your chances of acquiring funding. Financiers often require budgets as a prerequisite for funding approval.

The techniques we utilise to form financial projections enable you to consider future scenarios and provide you with goals to strive for in your business. There are many types of budgets. We can help you design the right budget for your requirements.

Let us show you how a budget can provide feedback that helps you prepare for the future of your business!

If you have a good idea for a new business venture but don't have expertise in the legal or financial aspects of creating a new business, we can help you:

• Decide on the most suitable structure for your business — Sole trader, partnership, or limited company

• Assess your finance requirements, advise on the best sources of finance, and draw up the necessary proposals

• Establish a good working relationship with your bank

• Register for an Australian Business Number with the ATO

• Complete registration procedures with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission

• Deal with company secretarial issues

• Set up a recording system for your internal use and for complying with statutory requirements

Let us help you turn your business idea into a reality!

Our aim is to ensure your business achieves the potential it is capable of. We have the know-how and experience to offer advice that helps you run your business more effectively.

We are practiced in acting as a sounding board for management, bringing years of experience in business growth to the relationship. We can identify key performance indicators in your business, through which you will see positive changes occurring with the help of our professional consultants.

We check that your business is as competitive, focused, and profitable as it can be, then offer flexible strategies, designed to address the issues affecting your business.

Let us give your business a health check! Take the practical advice we can provide to ensure the ongoing success of your venture.

Administering your payroll can be time-consuming and divert you from your core business activities. Added to this, payroll and employment legislation are growing increasingly complex.

We can relieve you of this burden by providing a comprehensive, confidential payroll service that includes:

Even if you only have a few employees, you will save by engaging us to administer your payroll.

A decent accounting system will help you keep track of your cash flow and make completing GST returns easy. Choosing the right system for your business can be difficult as there are over sixty different accounting packages available in Australia. At Smith Sharpe & Abbott we invest considerable resources in ongoing staff training to ensure we can recommend the best accounting software solution for your business.

Let us help you make the right choice of accounting software suitable for your business and train you to be self-sufficient with your software choice.

The pressures of daily business can often mean strategic planning takes a back seat, but to have a successful business it is vital to plan ahead. We'll help you develop a strategic plan that examines where you want your business to be in the next 3-5 years and exactly how you and your team can achieve these aims and objectives.

Your strategic plan will:

• Define the characteristics of your company in three to five years

• Identify your competitors

• Define your objectives and financial goals

• Include an effective implementation strategy to achieve your goals

Company legislation requires businesses to perform several administration tasks that take up a lot of valuable company time. The last thing you need as a business owner is to be stressed out trying to ensure you comply with the Corporations Law. The possible threat of penalties for failing to keep up with the changing rules is too great a risk to take.

At Smith Sharpe & Abbott we can relieve this burden for you. Our services include:

Please contact us for further information on how we can help you get back to running your business.

As unpleasant as the task is, estate planning is one of the necessities of life. Knowing your hard-earned assets will be dealt with in the manner you choose provides peace of mind.

For business owners, a plan for succession of ownership is essential. We can guide you through the process of providing for business continuity.

The executor and trustee of a will are required to perform a number of duties. At Smith Sharpe & Abbott we are experienced in estate planning and can guarantee no deviation from the succession plan for your assets.

The areas in estate administration that we can assist with include:

• Meeting to discuss objectives for your estate

• Confirming assets — Valuations, inventories, and appraisals

• Court approval for a grant of administration

• Documentation involved in estate planning

• Protecting the assets

• Paying taxes and debts

• Estate distribution

Accounting for primary producers involves specific business, financial, and taxation issues, and a specialist understanding of the industry. At Smith Sharpe & Abbott we keep abreast of the developments in both the farming and accounting industries, ensuring we are uniquely placed to provide up-to-date, accurate advice.

Our services include:

• Farm budgeting and cash flows

• Farm sales and purchases

• Ownership structures

• Preparation of financial statements

• Taxation

• Seasonal planning

• Succession planning

Selling a business can be a difficult, disheartening time and the tasks involved can seem particularly arduous. At Smith Sharpe & Abbott we take the unwanted burden from you.

The services we provide for preparing to sell a business include:

• Obtaining comparative results

• Establishing a realistic sale price

• Taking the business to the market

• Negotiating with potential purchasers

• Drafting a contract

Our friendly, professional team will help you obtain a maximum return for your business.

To ensure the long-term success of your business, it is critical to establish a well-designed succession plan. Coordinating the transition of your business to your successors can be an arduous process. However, with our years of experience we can address the complex issues of business continuation, removing the stress from your shoulders.

Contact us for more information on forming a plan that facilitates a hassle-free continuation of your business!

As the Government encourages Australians to take responsibility for and reach their financial retirement goals, citizens are repeatedly required to deal with superannuation funds. Self-managed superannuation is a means of saving for retirement. It enables you to control your investment strategy, reduce tax while obtaining tax benefits, and control administration costs.

Superannuation law is a delicate area and personalised planning is required for each individual. The team at Smith Sharpe & Abbott are superannuation experts who can assist in establishing a superannuation fund that will effectively enable you to reach your financial retirement goals.

Services we offer include:

• Establishing self-managed superannuation funds

• Arranging for the audit of your self-managed superannuation fund

• Advice on compliance matters

• Advice on taxation benefits

• Advice on employer obligations

Am I getting the best price for the sale of my business? Is the asking price too much? An independent valuation provides you with answers to the questions you often need to ask about the value of a business or property.

We are trained and experienced in business valuations and can provide you with simple guidelines and formulae to determine the value of your business or property.

We can also appear in court or for arbitration as expert witnesses in relation to business valuations.

The GST system is a complex and confusing one. Consequently Smith Sharpe & Abbott ensures our team remains up to date with any changes, enabling us to offer you accurate advice.

Every transaction now has an associated GST issue. We are experienced in these issues and can offer expert advice on the GST implications for your business. The GST-related services we offer include, but are not limited to:

• Advice on registering for GST

• Filing and adjusting GST returns

• ATO audit assistance

At Smith Sharpe & Abbott we offer a full range of taxation services. Our taxation consulting division is nationally recognised and we offer advice based on proven knowledge and experience. Our proactive approach ensures we deliver consistent service and build solid relationships that stand the test of time.

Taxation can be a major cost to your business. We will work with you to minimise your tax and help you achieve your key objectives. We provide a complete service of assistance and advice in each of these areas:

A trust provides a valuable way to protect the assets you have accumulated for the benefit of others. Our extensive experience with trusts enables us to offer specialist advice on trust formation and ensures all statutory requirements are met. Obligations for trustees can often be onerous, and our assistance in trust administration can prove invaluable. We can assist with:

• Attending to the special requirements involved in reporting for trusts

• Completing the trust administration:

o Minute-keeping service

o Annual accounts

o Taxation

o Asset management

o Investment monitoring

o Income distribution

Contact us today to ensure your trust is formed and administered as effectively as possible, covering all legal requirements and guaranteed to fulfill its purpose!

Modern business requires up-to-date, accurate financial information. We can relieve you and your staff of the enormous burden of all your bookkeeping and accounting needs, including preparation of your annual accounts and periodic management accounts for tax, business appraisal, and planning purposes.

We will discuss your requirements with you and provide information relevant to your particular situation, as well as constructive advice, on a regular basis.

BUDGETING

BUSINESS START-UP

MANAGEMENT CONSULTING

PAYROLL SERVICES

SOFTWARE SOLUTIONS

STRATEGIC PLANNING

COMPANY SECRETARY

ESTATE PLANNING

PRIMARY PRODUCTION ACCOUNTING

SELLING A BUSINESS

SUCCESSION PLANNING

SUPERANNUA-TION

VALUATIONS

GST MANAGEMENT

TAXATION

TRUSTS

BOOKKEEPING

OUR TEAM

At Smith Sharpe & Abbott, our team of professional, chartered accountants will be there to help when you need them most. They are committed to forming close partnerships with their clients, enabling them to understand your unique situation and customise the assistance they provide to suit your requirements.

Their commitment to excellence is evident in our hardworking team and the exceptional service we offer. Their enthusiasm for our work means you get a friendly team of professionals eager to use their expertise to help you succeed.

Regina has been a Chartered Accountant since 2002 with experience in accounting and taxation services. She completed a Bachelor of Financial Administration at the University of New England and has been a Partner at Smith Sharpe & Abbott since 2007. In 2016 Regina became an Authorised Representative of SMSF Advisers Network and is licensed to provide advise on Self Managed Superannuation Funds. She is also a Justice of the Peace.

Regina has lived in the New England area most of her life and grew up in and around Guyra. She is particularly interested accounting information systems and has extensive knowledge and experience with a wide range of accounting software packages. She enjoys assisting clients to get the most out of whichever system they use.

Regina loves fine dining, travel, reading and sport.

Andrew graduated from the University of New England with a Bachelor of Financial Administration and Diploma Business Studies and has worked within the accountancy field in the Armidale area for 24 years. Andrew's professional interests are small business, primary production, investment and individual tax with an emphasis on developing client relationships and ensuring client satisfaction. Andrew's personal interests include environmental issues, Australian film and music and a passion for the St Kilda Football Club.

Cairistain was born in South Africa and moved to Australia in 1996. Cairistain has been with the firm since 2006 after graduating from University of New England with a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Financial and Management Accounting. Cairistain specialises in superannuation accounting. She is highly involved within the local sporting community in particular rugby union.

Paul grew up in Armidale attending St Mary's Primary and O'Connor Catholic High Schools. Paul began his working career completing an apprenticeship in carpentry and joinery. Over the next 25 years he made and sold furniture on consignment through local businesses and worked for local companies. Working up to 11 hour days on average Paul decided on a career change and completed his Certificate II in Accountancy and began work with Smith Sharpe & Abbott in 2006. Paul specialises in Company Secretarial, accounting and tax returns.

Guy Halloran joined Smith Sharpe & Abbott in 2015. He has a Bachelor of Arts/Business degree in accounting from University of New England, Armidale.

When Guy became a member of our team at Smith Sharpe & Abbott, he brought three years audit experience in the fields of self-managed superannuation funds and non-for-profit organizations, with responsibilities including audit, ensuring regulatory compliance and financial reporting. Guy now utilizes his experience to assist a variety of clients with their accounting, taxation and financial requirements.

Guy spends his spare time fishing, and is an avid gamer.

Joanna came to Australia in 2000 from China to continue her study in accountancy.

She graduated from University of Wollongong in 2002 with a Master of Professional Accounting and was admitted as a Certified Public Accountant in 2012.

Joanna moved to public accounting in 2014 after working as a commercial accountant for 10 years. She joined Smith Sharpe & Abbott in 2017 after her family moved to Armidale from Sydney.

Joanna likes singing and music and she enjoys the country life with her family.

Jessica is a born and bred Armidale local, attending Duval High School. She moved up to Queensland for a few years where she undertook TAFE Study.

Once moving back to Armidale Jess worked in the Retail Industry from 2000 until she joined our team in October of 2015. At SSA Jess looks after our BAS’s and bookkeeping for clients including processing payroll and superannuation. She also helps out with our tax returns and is looking at becoming more involved in the accounting side of things.

Jess enjoys spending quality time with her 2 children, and walking her dogs.

Grahame started his career in public practice in Sydney in 1985. His desire was to raise a family in the country and moved to the New England district in 1987 and soon after established his own accountancy practice specialising in rural and small business. Grahame is a founding partner of Smith Sharpe & Abbott. Grahame was educated at James Ruse Agricultural High School, graduated with a Bachelor of Business from the University of Technology and was admitted as a Chartered Accountant in 1988. Grahame is particularly interested in business structures, asset protection and succession planning.

He has been a director of several medium sized companies over the years, one of which has won many business awards and currently manufactures and exports products worldwide. He currently sits on a number of advisory boards to the Royal Agricultural Society of New South Wales.

Grahame is an enthusiastic breeder and exhibitor of purebred poultry and is a sought after judge. Other interests include breeding Poll Dorsets and when time permits estuary fishing.

PRINCIPAL

Regina Davidson

Andrew Logan

Cairistain Wall

Paul Zielinski

Guy Halloran

Joanna Buckland

Jessica Haydon

PRINCIPAL

Grahame Sharpe

10 YEARS OF WONDERFUL SUPPORT

We have been clients of Smith Sharpe and Abbott for the past ten years and have received wonderful support for our small businesses. SSA are not just our accountants, they are a huge part of our businesses. The staff are always welcoming, ready to listen and discuss any concerns on our behalf. We have found SSA to be extremely professional and knowledgeable, yet communicate with us in understandable expression.

Their attitude is exemplary as the staff are always more than willing to resolve any problems we present. We have presented SSA with difficult business scenarios and they have excelled in successfully achieving the correct outcome on numerous occasions. We cannot express our appreciation enough for their input, guiding us in our decision making to be successful in business. Whilst SSA are extremely professional, there is a huge personal element felt within our relationship. There is a real genuine care factor.

We would highly recommend SSA to those seeking for an accountancy firm.

- MW & CM HODGSON -

ALWAYS ACCESSIBLE AND WILLING TO HELP

The people at Smith Sharpe & Abbott function as a close team. They are always accessible and willing to help.

The advice given is financially sound and applied with common sense.

Their knowledge of the ICT International business built up over many years enables the productive and meaningful exchange of information and advice on a regular basis.

- ICT INTERNATIONAL -

SECOND TO NONE PROFESSIONALISM, SERVICE AND ADVICE

Smith Sharpe & Abbott have been looking after the accounting & taxation needs for both of our business, TWM Armidale & Williams Seeders for over 15 years. The professionalism, service and advice given to our business is second to none, & we would have no hesitation in recommending them to any prospective clients.

Smith Sharpe & Abbott have been an instrumental component in our succession planning process & business growth within our family structure.

WELCOME TO SMITH SHARPE & ABBOTT

Our friendly team of qualified professionals can help you make informed decisions at every stage of your business's life cycle. But most importantly, we strive to understand your aspirations for yourself, your family, your staff and your business, and can help you achieve these goals.

Smith Sharpe & Abbott focus on maximising your income and protecting your assets, giving you more choices in life. For more information, visit our contact us section to get in touch.

OUR SERVICES

At Smith Sharpe & Abbott we aim to provide you with advice when your business needs it, not just when you ask for it. We help you manage every aspect of your business and because we establish a one-on-one relationship with each of our clients, our advice is tailor-made for your business. We've also developed our traditional auditing and accounting practices into innovative client-focused services. Our flexibility and adaptability ensure we help you get the best results.

Listed, are the services we offer. This list is by no means exhaustive, and our team of friendly staff are more than happy to talk about any services not listed here that you might require.

BUDGETING

BUSINESS START-UP

MANAGEMENT CONSULTING

PAYROLL SERVICES

SOFTWARE SOLUTIONS

STRATEGIC PLANNING

COMPANY SECRETARY

ESTATE PLANNING

PRIMARY PRODUCTION ACCOUNTING

SELLING A BUSINESS

SUCCESSION PLANNING

SUPERANNUA-TION

VALUATIONS

GST MANAGEMENT

TAXATION

TRUSTS

BOOKKEEPING

A good budget is a necessity in a good business plan. It is one of the best business tools you can have, enabling you to set financial targets and measure your performance.

In addition to goal-setting value, budgets will often improve your chances of acquiring funding. Financiers often require budgets as a prerequisite for funding approval.

The techniques we utilise to form financial projections enable you to consider future scenarios and provide you with goals to strive for in your business. There are many types of budgets. We can help you design the right budget for your requirements.

Let us show you how a budget can provide feedback that helps you prepare for the future of your business!

If you have a good idea for a new business venture but don't have expertise in the legal or financial aspects of creating a new business, we can help you:

• Decide on the most suitable structure for your business — Sole trader, partnership, or limited company

• Assess your finance requirements, advise on the best sources of finance, and draw up the necessary proposals

• Establish a good working relationship with your bank

• Register for an Australian Business Number with the ATO

• Complete registration procedures with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission

• Deal with company secretarial issues

• Set up a recording system for your internal use and for complying with statutory requirements

Let us help you turn your business idea into a reality!

Our aim is to ensure your business achieves the potential it is capable of. We have the know-how and experience to offer advice that helps you run your business more effectively.

We are practiced in acting as a sounding board for management, bringing years of experience in business growth to the relationship. We can identify key performance indicators in your business, through which you will see positive changes occurring with the help of our professional consultants.

We check that your business is as competitive, focused, and profitable as it can be, then offer flexible strategies, designed to address the issues affecting your business.

Let us give your business a health check! Take the practical advice we can provide to ensure the ongoing success of your venture.

Administering your payroll can be time-consuming and divert you from your core business activities. Added to this, payroll and employment legislation are growing increasingly complex.

We can relieve you of this burden by providing a comprehensive, confidential payroll service that includes:

Even if you only have a few employees, you will save by engaging us to administer your payroll.

A decent accounting system will help you keep track of your cash flow and make completing GST returns easy. Choosing the right system for your business can be difficult as there are over sixty different accounting packages available in Australia. At Smith Sharpe & Abbott we invest considerable resources in ongoing staff training to ensure we can recommend the best accounting software solution for your business.

Let us help you make the right choice of accounting software suitable for your business and train you to be self-sufficient with your software choice.

The pressures of daily business can often mean strategic planning takes a back seat, but to have a successful business it is vital to plan ahead. We'll help you develop a strategic plan that examines where you want your business to be in the next 3-5 years and exactly how you and your team can achieve these aims and objectives.

Your strategic plan will:

• Define the characteristics of your company in three to five years

• Identify your competitors

• Define your objectives and financial goals

• Include an effective implementation strategy to achieve your goals

Company legislation requires businesses to perform several administration tasks that take up a lot of valuable company time. The last thing you need as a business owner is to be stressed out trying to ensure you comply with the Corporations Law. The possible threat of penalties for failing to keep up with the changing rules is too great a risk to take.

At Smith Sharpe & Abbott we can relieve this burden for you. Our services include:

Please contact us for further information on how we can help you get back to running your business.

As unpleasant as the task is, estate planning is one of the necessities of life. Knowing your hard-earned assets will be dealt with in the manner you choose provides peace of mind.

For business owners, a plan for succession of ownership is essential. We can guide you through the process of providing for business continuity.

The executor and trustee of a will are required to perform a number of duties. At Smith Sharpe & Abbott we are experienced in estate planning and can guarantee no deviation from the succession plan for your assets.

The areas in estate administration that we can assist with include:

• Meeting to discuss objectives for your estate

• Confirming assets — Valuations, inventories, and appraisals

• Court approval for a grant of administration

• Documentation involved in estate planning

• Protecting the assets

• Paying taxes and debts

• Estate distribution

Accounting for primary producers involves specific business, financial, and taxation issues, and a specialist understanding of the industry. At Smith Sharpe & Abbott we keep abreast of the developments in both the farming and accounting industries, ensuring we are uniquely placed to provide up-to-date, accurate advice.

Our services include:

• Farm budgeting and cash flows

• Farm sales and purchases

• Ownership structures

• Preparation of financial statements

• Taxation

• Seasonal planning

• Succession planning

Selling a business can be a difficult, disheartening time and the tasks involved can seem particularly arduous. At Smith Sharpe & Abbott we take the unwanted burden from you.

The services we provide for preparing to sell a business include:

• Obtaining comparative results

• Establishing a realistic sale price

• Taking the business to the market

• Negotiating with potential purchasers

• Drafting a contract

Our friendly, professional team will help you obtain a maximum return for your business.

To ensure the long-term success of your business, it is critical to establish a well-designed succession plan. Coordinating the transition of your business to your successors can be an arduous process. However, with our years of experience we can address the complex issues of business continuation, removing the stress from your shoulders.

Contact us for more information on forming a plan that facilitates a hassle-free continuation of your business!

As the Government encourages Australians to take responsibility for and reach their financial retirement goals, citizens are repeatedly required to deal with superannuation funds. Self-managed superannuation is a means of saving for retirement. It enables you to control your investment strategy, reduce tax while obtaining tax benefits, and control administration costs.

Superannuation law is a delicate area and personalised planning is required for each individual. The team at Smith Sharpe & Abbott are superannuation experts who can assist in establishing a superannuation fund that will effectively enable you to reach your financial retirement goals.

Services we offer include:

• Establishing self-managed superannuation funds

• Arranging for the audit of your self-managed superannuation fund

• Advice on compliance matters

• Advice on taxation benefits

• Advice on employer obligations

Am I getting the best price for the sale of my business? Is the asking price too much? An independent valuation provides you with answers to the questions you often need to ask about the value of a business or property.

We are trained and experienced in business valuations and can provide you with simple guidelines and formulae to determine the value of your business or property.

We can also appear in court or for arbitration as expert witnesses in relation to business valuations.

The GST system is a complex and confusing one. Consequently Smith Sharpe & Abbott ensures our team remains up to date with any changes, enabling us to offer you accurate advice.

Every transaction now has an associated GST issue. We are experienced in these issues and can offer expert advice on the GST implications for your business. The GST-related services we offer include, but are not limited to:

• Advice on registering for GST

• Filing and adjusting GST returns

• ATO audit assistance

At Smith Sharpe & Abbott we offer a full range of taxation services. Our taxation consulting division is nationally recognised and we offer advice based on proven knowledge and experience. Our proactive approach ensures we deliver consistent service and build solid relationships that stand the test of time.

Taxation can be a major cost to your business. We will work with you to minimise your tax and help you achieve your key objectives. We provide a complete service of assistance and advice in each of these areas:

A trust provides a valuable way to protect the assets you have accumulated for the benefit of others. Our extensive experience with trusts enables us to offer specialist advice on trust formation and ensures all statutory requirements are met. Obligations for trustees can often be onerous, and our assistance in trust administration can prove invaluable. We can assist with:

• Attending to the special requirements involved in reporting for trusts

• Completing the trust administration:

o Minute-keeping service

o Annual accounts

o Taxation

o Asset management

o Investment monitoring

o Income distribution

Contact us today to ensure your trust is formed and administered as effectively as possible, covering all legal requirements and guaranteed to fulfill its purpose!

Modern business requires up-to-date, accurate financial information. We can relieve you and your staff of the enormous burden of all your bookkeeping and accounting needs, including preparation of your annual accounts and periodic management accounts for tax, business appraisal, and planning purposes.

We will discuss your requirements with you and provide information relevant to your particular situation, as well as constructive advice, on a regular basis.

x

OUR TEAM

At Smith Sharpe & Abbott, our team of professional, chartered accountants will be there to help when you need them most. They are committed to forming close partnerships with their clients, enabling them to understand your unique situation and customise the assistance they provide to suit your requirements.

Their commitment to excellence is evident in our hardworking team and the exceptional service we offer. Their enthusiasm for our work means you get a friendly team of professionals eager to use their expertise to help you succeed.

PRINCIPAL

Regina Davidson

Andrew Logan

Cairistain Wall

Paul Zielinski

Guy Halloran

Joanna Buckland

Jessica Haydon

PRINCIPAL

Grahame Sharpe

Regina has been a Chartered Accountant since 2002 with experience in accounting and taxation services. She completed a Bachelor of Financial Administration at the University of New England and has been a Partner at Smith Sharpe & Abbott since 2007. In 2016 Regina became an Authorised Representative of SMSF Advisers Network and is licensed to provide advise on Self Managed Superannuation Funds. She is also a Justice of the Peace.

Regina has lived in the New England area most of her life and grew up in and around Guyra. She is particularly interested accounting information systems and has extensive knowledge and experience with a wide range of accounting software packages. She enjoys assisting clients to get the most out of whichever system they use.

Regina loves fine dining, travel, reading and sport.

Andrew graduated from the University of New England with a Bachelor of Financial Administration and Diploma Business Studies and has worked within the accountancy field in the Armidale area for 24 years. Andrew's professional interests are small business, primary production, investment and individual tax with an emphasis on developing client relationships and ensuring client satisfaction. Andrew's personal interests include environmental issues, Australian film and music and a passion for the St Kilda Football Club.

Cairistain was born in South Africa and moved to Australia in 1996. Cairistain has been with the firm since 2006 after graduating from University of New England with a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Financial and Management Accounting. Cairistain specialises in superannuation accounting. She is highly involved within the local sporting community in particular rugby union.

Paul grew up in Armidale attending St Mary's Primary and O'Connor Catholic High Schools. Paul began his working career completing an apprenticeship in carpentry and joinery. Over the next 25 years he made and sold furniture on consignment through local businesses and worked for local companies. Working up to 11 hour days on average Paul decided on a career change and completed his Certificate II in Accountancy and began work with Smith Sharpe & Abbott in 2006. Paul specialises in Company Secretarial, accounting and tax returns.

Guy Halloran joined Smith Sharpe & Abbott in 2015. He has a Bachelor of Arts/Business degree in accounting from University of New England, Armidale.

When Guy became a member of our team at Smith Sharpe & Abbott, he brought three years audit experience in the fields of self-managed superannuation funds and non-for-profit organizations, with responsibilities including audit, ensuring regulatory compliance and financial reporting. Guy now utilizes his experience to assist a variety of clients with their accounting, taxation and financial requirements.

Guy spends his spare time fishing, and is an avid gamer.

Joanna came to Australia in 2000 from China to continue her study in accountancy.

She graduated from University of Wollongong in 2002 with a Master of Professional Accounting and was admitted as a Certified Public Accountant in 2012.

Joanna moved to public accounting in 2014 after working as a commercial accountant for 10 years. She joined Smith Sharpe & Abbott in 2017 after her family moved to Armidale from Sydney.

Joanna likes singing and music and she enjoys the country life with her family.

Jessica is a born and bred Armidale local, attending Duval High School. She moved up to Queensland for a few years where she undertook TAFE Study.

Once moving back to Armidale Jess worked in the Retail Industry from 2000 until she joined our team in October of 2015. At SSA Jess looks after our BAS’s and bookkeeping for clients including processing payroll and superannuation. She also helps out with our tax returns and is looking at becoming more involved in the accounting side of things.

Jess enjoys spending quality time with her 2 children, and walking her dogs.

Grahame started his career in public practice in Sydney in 1985. His desire was to raise a family in the country and moved to the New England district in 1987 and soon after established his own accountancy practice specialising in rural and small business. Grahame is a founding partner of Smith Sharpe & Abbott. Grahame was educated at James Ruse Agricultural High School, graduated with a Bachelor of Business from the University of Technology and was admitted as a Chartered Accountant in 1988. Grahame is particularly interested in business structures, asset protection and succession planning.

He has been a director of several medium sized companies over the years, one of which has won many business awards and currently manufactures and exports products worldwide. He currently sits on a number of advisory boards to the Royal Agricultural Society of New South Wales.

Grahame is an enthusiastic breeder and exhibitor of purebred poultry and is a sought after judge. Other interests include breeding Poll Dorsets and when time permits estuary fishing.

x

10 YEARS OF WONDERFUL SUPPORT

We have been clients of Smith Sharpe and Abbott for the past ten years and have received wonderful support for our small businesses. SSA are not just our accountants, they are a huge part of our businesses. The staff are always welcoming, ready to listen and discuss any concerns on our behalf. We have found SSA to be extremely professional and knowledgeable, yet communicate with us in understandable expression.

Their attitude is exemplary as the staff are always more than willing to resolve any problems we present. We have presented SSA with difficult business scenarios and they have excelled in successfully achieving the correct outcome on numerous occasions. We cannot express our appreciation enough for their input, guiding us in our decision making to be successful in business. Whilst SSA are extremely professional, there is a huge personal element felt within our relationship. There is a real genuine care factor.

We would highly recommend SSA to those seeking for an accountancy firm.

- MW & CM HODGSON -

ALWAYS ACCESSIBLE AND WILLING TO HELP

The people at Smith Sharpe & Abbott function as a close team. They are always accessible and willing to help.

The advice given is financially sound and applied with common sense.

Their knowledge of the ICT International business built up over many years enables the productive and meaningful exchange of information and advice on a regular basis.

- ICT INTERNATIONAL -

SECOND TO NONE PROFESSIONALISM, SERVICE AND ADVICE

Smith Sharpe & Abbott have been looking after the accounting & taxation needs for both of our business, TWM Armidale & Williams Seeders for over 15 years. The professionalism, service and advice given to our business is second to none, & we would have no hesitation in recommending them to any prospective clients.

Smith Sharpe & Abbott have been an instrumental component in our succession planning process & business growth within our family structure.

CONTACT DETAILS

BUSINESS HOURS

Monday to Friday - 9:00AM to 5:00PM

Saturday to Sunday - Closed

WATCH OUR VIDEO

WELCOME TO SMITH SHARPE & ABBOTT

Our friendly team of qualified professionals can help you make informed decisions at every stage of your business's life cycle. But most importantly, we strive to understand your aspirations for yourself, your family, your staff and your business, and can help you achieve these goals.

Smith Sharpe & Abbott focus on maximising your income and protecting your assets, giving you more choices in life. For more information, visit our contact us section to get in touch.

SMSF Advisers Network Pty Ltd

Australian Financial Services Licensee

AFS Licence No. 430062

OUR SERVICES

At Smith Sharpe & Abbott we aim to provide you with advice when your business needs it, not just when you ask for it. We help you manage every aspect of your business and because we establish a one-on-one relationship with each of our clients, our advice is tailor-made for your business. We've also developed our traditional auditing and accounting practices into innovative client-focused services. Our flexibility and adaptability ensure we help you get the best results.

Listed, are the services we offer. This list is by no means exhaustive, and our team of friendly staff are more than happy to talk about any services not listed here that you might require.

BUDGETING

BUSINESS START-UP

MANAGEMENT CONSULTING

PAYROLL SERVICES

SOFTWARE SOLUTIONS

STRATEGIC PLANNING

COMPANY SECRETARY

ESTATE PLANNING

PRIMARY PRODUCTION ACCOUNTING

SELLING A BUSINESS

SUCCESSION PLANNING

SUPERANNUA-TION

VALUATIONS

GST MANAGEMENT

TAXATION

TRUSTS

BOOKKEEPING

A good budget is a necessity in a good business plan. It is one of the best business tools you can have, enabling you to set financial targets and measure your performance.

In addition to goal-setting value, budgets will often improve your chances of acquiring funding. Financiers often require budgets as a prerequisite for funding approval.

The techniques we utilise to form financial projections enable you to consider future scenarios and provide you with goals to strive for in your business. There are many types of budgets. We can help you design the right budget for your requirements.

Let us show you how a budget can provide feedback that helps you prepare for the future of your business!

If you have a good idea for a new business venture but don't have expertise in the legal or financial aspects of creating a new business, we can help you:

• Decide on the most suitable structure for your business — Sole trader, partnership, or limited company

• Assess your finance requirements, advise on the best sources of finance, and draw up the necessary proposals

• Establish a good working relationship with your bank

• Register for an Australian Business Number with the ATO

• Complete registration procedures with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission

• Deal with company secretarial issues

• Set up a recording system for your internal use and for complying with statutory requirements

Let us help you turn your business idea into a reality!

Our aim is to ensure your business achieves the potential it is capable of. We have the know-how and experience to offer advice that helps you run your business more effectively.

We are practiced in acting as a sounding board for management, bringing years of experience in business growth to the relationship. We can identify key performance indicators in your business, through which you will see positive changes occurring with the help of our professional consultants.

We check that your business is as competitive, focused, and profitable as it can be, then offer flexible strategies, designed to address the issues affecting your business.

Let us give your business a health check! Take the practical advice we can provide to ensure the ongoing success of your venture.

Administering your payroll can be time-consuming and divert you from your core business activities. Added to this, payroll and employment legislation are growing increasingly complex.

We can relieve you of this burden by providing a comprehensive, confidential payroll service that includes:

Even if you only have a few employees, you will save by engaging us to administer your payroll.

A decent accounting system will help you keep track of your cash flow and make completing GST returns easy. Choosing the right system for your business can be difficult as there are over sixty different accounting packages available in Australia. At Smith Sharpe & Abbott we invest considerable resources in ongoing staff training to ensure we can recommend the best accounting software solution for your business.

Let us help you make the right choice of accounting software suitable for your business and train you to be self-sufficient with your software choice.

The pressures of daily business can often mean strategic planning takes a back seat, but to have a successful business it is vital to plan ahead. We'll help you develop a strategic plan that examines where you want your business to be in the next 3-5 years and exactly how you and your team can achieve these aims and objectives.

Your strategic plan will:

• Define the characteristics of your company in three to five years

• Identify your competitors

• Define your objectives and financial goals

• Include an effective implementation strategy to achieve your goals

Company legislation requires businesses to perform several administration tasks that take up a lot of valuable company time. The last thing you need as a business owner is to be stressed out trying to ensure you comply with the Corporations Law. The possible threat of penalties for failing to keep up with the changing rules is too great a risk to take.

At Smith Sharpe & Abbott we can relieve this burden for you. Our services include:

Please contact us for further information on how we can help you get back to running your business.

As unpleasant as the task is, estate planning is one of the necessities of life. Knowing your hard-earned assets will be dealt with in the manner you choose provides peace of mind.

For business owners, a plan for succession of ownership is essential. We can guide you through the process of providing for business continuity.

The executor and trustee of a will are required to perform a number of duties. At Smith Sharpe & Abbott we are experienced in estate planning and can guarantee no deviation from the succession plan for your assets.

The areas in estate administration that we can assist with include:

• Meeting to discuss objectives for your estate

• Confirming assets — Valuations, inventories, and appraisals

• Court approval for a grant of administration

• Documentation involved in estate planning

• Protecting the assets

• Paying taxes and debts

• Estate distribution

Accounting for primary producers involves specific business, financial, and taxation issues, and a specialist understanding of the industry. At Smith Sharpe & Abbott we keep abreast of the developments in both the farming and accounting industries, ensuring we are uniquely placed to provide up-to-date, accurate advice.

Our services include:

• Farm budgeting and cash flows

• Farm sales and purchases

• Ownership structures

• Preparation of financial statements

• Taxation

• Seasonal planning

• Succession planning

Selling a business can be a difficult, disheartening time and the tasks involved can seem particularly arduous. At Smith Sharpe & Abbott we take the unwanted burden from you.

The services we provide for preparing to sell a business include:

• Obtaining comparative results

• Establishing a realistic sale price

• Taking the business to the market

• Negotiating with potential purchasers

• Drafting a contract

Our friendly, professional team will help you obtain a maximum return for your business.

To ensure the long-term success of your business, it is critical to establish a well-designed succession plan. Coordinating the transition of your business to your successors can be an arduous process. However, with our years of experience we can address the complex issues of business continuation, removing the stress from your shoulders.

Contact us for more information on forming a plan that facilitates a hassle-free continuation of your business!

As the Government encourages Australians to take responsibility for and reach their financial retirement goals, citizens are repeatedly required to deal with superannuation funds. Self-managed superannuation is a means of saving for retirement. It enables you to control your investment strategy, reduce tax while obtaining tax benefits, and control administration costs.

Superannuation law is a delicate area and personalised planning is required for each individual. The team at Smith Sharpe & Abbott are superannuation experts who can assist in establishing a superannuation fund that will effectively enable you to reach your financial retirement goals.

Services we offer include:

• Establishing self-managed superannuation funds

• Arranging for the audit of your self-managed superannuation fund

• Advice on compliance matters

• Advice on taxation benefits

• Advice on employer obligations

Am I getting the best price for the sale of my business? Is the asking price too much? An independent valuation provides you with answers to the questions you often need to ask about the value of a business or property.

We are trained and experienced in business valuations and can provide you with simple guidelines and formulae to determine the value of your business or property.

We can also appear in court or for arbitration as expert witnesses in relation to business valuations.

The GST system is a complex and confusing one. Consequently Smith Sharpe & Abbott ensures our team remains up to date with any changes, enabling us to offer you accurate advice.

Every transaction now has an associated GST issue. We are experienced in these issues and can offer expert advice on the GST implications for your business. The GST-related services we offer include, but are not limited to:

• Advice on registering for GST

• Filing and adjusting GST returns

• ATO audit assistance

At Smith Sharpe & Abbott we offer a full range of taxation services. Our taxation consulting division is nationally recognised and we offer advice based on proven knowledge and experience. Our proactive approach ensures we deliver consistent service and build solid relationships that stand the test of time.

Taxation can be a major cost to your business. We will work with you to minimise your tax and help you achieve your key objectives. We provide a complete service of assistance and advice in each of these areas:

A trust provides a valuable way to protect the assets you have accumulated for the benefit of others. Our extensive experience with trusts enables us to offer specialist advice on trust formation and ensures all statutory requirements are met. Obligations for trustees can often be onerous, and our assistance in trust administration can prove invaluable. We can assist with:

• Attending to the special requirements involved in reporting for trusts

• Completing the trust administration:

o Minute-keeping service

o Annual accounts

o Taxation

o Asset management

o Investment monitoring

o Income distribution

Contact us today to ensure your trust is formed and administered as effectively as possible, covering all legal requirements and guaranteed to fulfill its purpose!

Modern business requires up-to-date, accurate financial information. We can relieve you and your staff of the enormous burden of all your bookkeeping and accounting needs, including preparation of your annual accounts and periodic management accounts for tax, business appraisal, and planning purposes.

We will discuss your requirements with you and provide information relevant to your particular situation, as well as constructive advice, on a regular basis.

x

OUR TEAM

At Smith Sharpe & Abbott, our team of professional, chartered accountants will be there to help when you need them most. They are committed to forming close partnerships with their clients, enabling them to understand your unique situation and customise the assistance they provide to suit your requirements.

Their commitment to excellence is evident in our hardworking team and the exceptional service we offer. Their enthusiasm for our work means you get a friendly team of professionals eager to use their expertise to help you succeed.

PRINCIPAL

Regina Davidson

Andrew Logan

Cairistain Wall

Paul Zielinski

Guy Halloran

Joanna Buckland

Jessica Haydon

PRINCIPAL

Grahame Sharpe

Regina has been a Chartered Accountant since 2002 with experience in accounting and taxation services. She completed a Bachelor of Financial Administration at the University of New England and has been a Partner at Smith Sharpe & Abbott since 2007. In 2016 Regina became an Authorised Representative of SMSF Advisers Network and is licensed to provide advise on Self Managed Superannuation Funds. She is also a Justice of the Peace.

Regina has lived in the New England area most of her life and grew up in and around Guyra. She is particularly interested accounting information systems and has extensive knowledge and experience with a wide range of accounting software packages. She enjoys assisting clients to get the most out of whichever system they use.

Regina loves fine dining, travel, reading and sport.

Andrew graduated from the University of New England with a Bachelor of Financial Administration and Diploma Business Studies and has worked within the accountancy field in the Armidale area for 24 years. Andrew's professional interests are small business, primary production, investment and individual tax with an emphasis on developing client relationships and ensuring client satisfaction. Andrew's personal interests include environmental issues, Australian film and music and a passion for the St Kilda Football Club.

Cairistain was born in South Africa and moved to Australia in 1996. Cairistain has been with the firm since 2006 after graduating from University of New England with a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Financial and Management Accounting. Cairistain specialises in superannuation accounting. She is highly involved within the local sporting community in particular rugby union.

Paul grew up in Armidale attending St Mary's Primary and O'Connor Catholic High Schools. Paul began his working career completing an apprenticeship in carpentry and joinery. Over the next 25 years he made and sold furniture on consignment through local businesses and worked for local companies. Working up to 11 hour days on average Paul decided on a career change and completed his Certificate II in Accountancy and began work with Smith Sharpe & Abbott in 2006. Paul specialises in Company Secretarial, accounting and tax returns.

Guy Halloran joined Smith Sharpe & Abbott in 2015. He has a Bachelor of Arts/Business degree in accounting from University of New England, Armidale.

When Guy became a member of our team at Smith Sharpe & Abbott, he brought three years audit experience in the fields of self-managed superannuation funds and non-for-profit organizations, with responsibilities including audit, ensuring regulatory compliance and financial reporting. Guy now utilizes his experience to assist a variety of clients with their accounting, taxation and financial requirements.

Guy spends his spare time fishing, and is an avid gamer.

Joanna came to Australia in 2000 from China to continue her study in accountancy.

She graduated from University of Wollongong in 2002 with a Master of Professional Accounting and was admitted as a Certified Public Accountant in 2012.

Joanna moved to public accounting in 2014 after working as a commercial accountant for 10 years. She joined Smith Sharpe & Abbott in 2017 after her family moved to Armidale from Sydney.

Joanna likes singing and music and she enjoys the country life with her family.

Jessica is a born and bred Armidale local, attending Duval High School. She moved up to Queensland for a few years where she undertook TAFE Study.

Once moving back to Armidale Jess worked in the Retail Industry from 2000 until she joined our team in October of 2015. At SSA Jess looks after our BAS’s and bookkeeping for clients including processing payroll and superannuation. She also helps out with our tax returns and is looking at becoming more involved in the accounting side of things.

Jess enjoys spending quality time with her 2 children, and walking her dogs.

Grahame started his career in public practice in Sydney in 1985. His desire was to raise a family in the country and moved to the New England district in 1987 and soon after established his own accountancy practice specialising in rural and small business. Grahame is a founding partner of Smith Sharpe & Abbott. Grahame was educated at James Ruse Agricultural High School, graduated with a Bachelor of Business from the University of Technology and was admitted as a Chartered Accountant in 1988. Grahame is particularly interested in business structures, asset protection and succession planning.

He has been a director of several medium sized companies over the years, one of which has won many business awards and currently manufactures and exports products worldwide. He currently sits on a number of advisory boards to the Royal Agricultural Society of New South Wales.

Grahame is an enthusiastic breeder and exhibitor of purebred poultry and is a sought after judge. Other interests include breeding Poll Dorsets and when time permits estuary fishing.

x

10 YEARS OF WONDERFUL SUPPORT

We have been clients of Smith Sharpe and Abbott for the past ten years and have received wonderful support for our small businesses. SSA are not just our accountants, they are a huge part of our businesses. The staff are always welcoming, ready to listen and discuss any concerns on our behalf. We have found SSA to be extremely professional and knowledgeable, yet communicate with us in understandable expression.

Their attitude is exemplary as the staff are always more than willing to resolve any problems we present. We have presented SSA with difficult business scenarios and they have excelled in successfully achieving the correct outcome on numerous occasions. We cannot express our appreciation enough for their input, guiding us in our decision making to be successful in business. Whilst SSA are extremely professional, there is a huge personal element felt within our relationship. There is a real genuine care factor.

We would highly recommend SSA to those seeking for an accountancy firm.

- MW & CM HODGSON -

ALWAYS ACCESSIBLE AND WILLING TO HELP

The people at Smith Sharpe & Abbott function as a close team. They are always accessible and willing to help.

The advice given is financially sound and applied with common sense.

Their knowledge of the ICT International business built up over many years enables the productive and meaningful exchange of information and advice on a regular basis.

- ICT INTERNATIONAL -

SECOND TO NONE PROFESSIONALISM, SERVICE AND ADVICE

Smith Sharpe & Abbott have been looking after the accounting & taxation needs for both of our business, TWM Armidale & Williams Seeders for over 15 years. The professionalism, service and advice given to our business is second to none, & we would have no hesitation in recommending them to any prospective clients.

Smith Sharpe & Abbott have been an instrumental component in our succession planning process & business growth within our family structure.